The video opens with an informal introduction to a batch of Italian surplus Beretta 84BB pistols. The hosts note that these are Beretta pistols from Italy and set the stage for an unboxing and closer look. The 84BB is described as a surplus, police trade-in handgun that could serve either as a self-defense pistol or a range gun. It is chambered in .380 ACP, also referred to as 9mm short or 9x17, and the hosts clarify that the “BB” designation does not mean it fires BBs. Instead, they explain that the letters relate to Beretta’s internal model and patent iterations, signaling design updates over earlier versions of the Model 84.
The discussion turns to the history of the Beretta 84 series. The original Model 84 appeared in 1976, followed by the 84B in 1980 and the 84BB in 1982, reflecting rapid design refinements. These particular pistols are identified as Italian police trade-ins, with markings such as “GF” on the frame indicating issue to the Guardia di Finanza, a finance police force comparable to a tax or customs enforcement agency. The pistols feature a 13-round magazine, giving a 13+1 capacity. Despite their surplus status, the examples on the table show minimal wear, with clean finishes and barrels that appear almost unused. The hosts highlight discreet import marks placed low on the slide, avoiding large, obtrusive billboards that many surplus collectors dislike.
Attention shifts to the 84BB’s design features. The pistol uses a metal frame and a direct blowback action, which lacks a locking mechanism and results in a relatively energetic cycling motion. It has an ambidextrous safety mounted on the frame that does not act as a decocker, allowing carry in a cocked-and-locked, or condition one, configuration. The sights include a molded-in front sight and a dovetailed rear sight, both with white paint markings to aid alignment, though the paint can fade over time. The 84BB uses flat plastic Beretta grip panels instead of the earlier wood grips, and the recoil spring guide rod was strengthened compared to previous versions. The pistol belongs to Beretta’s Cheetah family, which includes models in calibers such as .32 ACP and .22 LR. Modern Cheetah 80X magazines are not compatible due to changes in grip angle, but Beretta still produces magazines for these older pistols.
The hosts examine the controls and ergonomics more closely. The 84BB uses a conventional push-button magazine release located on the side of the frame rather than a European-style heel release, a change influenced by Beretta’s 92SB development for U.S. Air Force trials. The frame-mounted safety is praised for being easy to reach without interfering with slide manipulation. Although the pistol is compact, the grip is relatively thick, giving a full, secure purchase with all fingers on the grip, even for larger hands. The hosts describe it as old-school in feel but controllable and comfortable. While the sights are considered basic compared to modern options, the three-dot style with a white front dot is viewed as very usable. One host notes a preference for keeping the original grip panels to preserve the authentic surplus 84BB configuration rather than swapping to aftermarket grips.
The scene shifts to the range to evaluate how the surplus Beretta 84BB pistols perform after decades of service. Before shooting, the hosts briefly compare .380 ACP, also known as 9mm short, to standard 9mm ball ammunition. They point out that .380 ACP uses a projectile of similar diameter but with a shorter case, resulting in reduced recoil and easier recoil management. At the same time, they acknowledge that .380 ACP generally offers less terminal performance than full-power 9mm, though it has still seen widespread use by military and law enforcement agencies. With targets set at roughly 20 yards, they plan to assess recoil, ergonomics, and overall shooting experience to see how these older surplus pistols hold up on the range.
On the firing line, the hosts report that the Beretta 84BB pistols shoot very well for their size. The grip allows a full hand purchase, contributing to controllable recoil and comfortable handling. They note that recoil management is good and that the pistols feel neither too small nor difficult to control. Despite the age of the guns and their painted sights, they are able to obtain accurate hits on target, and the remaining white dots on the sights still aid in alignment. During the session, the slides lock back reliably after each string, and no malfunctions are observed. The single-action trigger is highlighted as a strong point, with a defined wall and a clean break that supports accurate shooting even after 30 to 40 years of service. The hosts conclude that if the design has served the Italian government well and Beretta continues to build similar platforms like the 92 series, these surplus 84BB pistols remain a practical and appealing option.
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